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The Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to terms with forward Chris Kunitz on a three-year contract extension, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

The deal begins with the 2014-15 season and runs through the 2016-17 campaign, and has an average annual value of $3.85 million.

Kunitz, 33, enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2012-13, leading the team in both goals (22) and power-play goals (t-9) while ranking second on the team in points (52), rating (plus-30) and game-winning goals (t-5). It was the fifth time – and second-straight season – that he’s topped the 50-point mark and the sixth time he’s tallied 20 goals.

The 6-foot, 193-pound Kunitz became the first Penguins player since 2000 to score four goals in a single game when he accomplished the feat at Washington on Feb. 3. Later in the season he notched a career-best five points (3G-2A) against the NY Islanders on March 10.

Kunitz, who hails from Regina, Saskatchewan, added 10 points (5G-5A) in 15 playoffs games this spring. He tallied the overtime game-winning goal – capping a two-goal, three-point performance – in Game 3 against the NY Islanders in Round 1.

Kunitz established several career highs for the Penguins during the ’11-12 season, scoring 26 goals, 35 points and 61 points to go with six power-play markers in 82 regular-season games.

A key member of the Penguins’ 2009 Stanley Cup championship squad, Kunitz was acquired by the Penguins from the Anaheim Ducks on Feb. 26, 2009. He went on to register 14 points (1G-13A) in 24 playoff contests that year, helping the Penguins defeat the Detroit Red Wings in the Cup Final.

Prior to joining the Penguins Kunitz played four-plus seasons with Anaheim and the Atlanta Thrashers between 2003-09. He was instrumental in helping the Ducks win the Stanley Cup in 2007, scoring six points (1G-5A) in 13 playoff games.

Originally signed by Anaheim as an undrafted free agent on April 1, 2003, Kunitz has appeared in 581 career NHL regular-season games with Pittsburgh, Anaheim and Atlanta, totaling 172 goals, 231 assists and 403 points. He has added 58 points (17G-41A) in 99 playoff games.

Kunitz played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Ferris State from 1999-2003, helping the Bulldogs to the school’s first-ever regular-season championship as a senior. That year, Kunitz was the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s Player of the Year and he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award (nation’s best college player).

[URL]http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=675429[/URL]

The Rams' offense featuring weapons such as Marshall Faulk, Torrey Holt, and Isaac Bruce were known as "The Greatest Show on Turf"

The Steelers' offense featuring weapons such as Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant should be known as "The Greatest Show on Grass"

This has nothing at all to do with respective playing surfaces at the Edward Jones Dome vs. Heinz Field.

Kris Letang can go the way of Mike Wallace. Trade him now and get a good return. We are loaded with young defensemen. Individually they may not be as good as he is but his individual talent hasn't won the Stanley Cup for us.

Kris Letang can go the way of Mike Wallace. Trade him now and get a good return. We are loaded with young defensemen. Individually they may not be as good as he is but his individual talent hasn't won the Stanley Cup for us.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Kris Letang agreed to what is expected to be an eight-year, $58 million contract on Sunday, according to RDS’ Renaud Lavoie. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun notes that it isn’t official yet, though.

The potential pact carries a salary cap hit of $7.25 million. Much like Evgeni Malkin, his deal will expire after the 2021-22 season.

The deal includes a limited no-trade clause. He can list up to 15 teams he’d accept a trade to (perhaps the Toronto Maple Leafs are on that list?).

This comes on the heels of news that the team took a “step forward” in its talks with the 26-year-old defenseman’s agent on Saturday night. That step now looks more like a giant leap.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Letang turned down an eight-year, $54 million offer. Apparently he wanted a deal that echoes his jersey number like Sidney Crosby‘s?

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the Penguins chose this eight-year deal at $7.25 million per campaign over a four-year one that would pay an average of $7.5 million in each season.

Pens GM Ray Shero answered his biggest remaining question, yet he faces several significant ones, including the big picture issue of how he’ll surround such an expensive core with supporting talent. Starting in the 2014-15 season, the combined cap hit for Malkin, Crosby and Letang will be a whopping $25.45 million.

Taking Letang out of the trading mix would also substantially increase the value of potential bargaining chip defensemen on draft day.